Air Con

[Antique]

First time this year went to use air con and it was blowing warm air. Recently had some body repairs done to the near side front wing, light and bumper so wondering if they might have shorted out something and blown a fuse. What I noticed usually was when I putt the air con on the engine will remain running when I stop instead of going into hybrid mode and stopping while stationary. So wondering if the generator is not kicking in. Any tips or advice welcome before I take it to a garage. 2013 450h 

[scudney]

Probably condenser leak

[Antique]

OK, will google to find out what to do next. Thanks

[Spock66]

35 minutes ago, scudney said:

Probably condenser leak

If that's the case then quite likely it was damaged in the accident I would think so should be covered by the insurance.

[b4u2]

Replace condenser and you'll most likely be fine.

[johnatg]

It could just need a gas recharge. You should use aircon all the time - if you don't the seals dry out and the gas leaks away (more quickly than it does anyway). When you want some heat keep the aircon on and use the heater.

Has the aircon ever been recharged? If not, after 11 years it will definitely need to be done. It may need doing every couple of years for full efficiency but anyway after every 5 years or so.

Use an aircon specialist who is aware the oil carried in the gas needs to be dielectric ND11. (Check the label under the bonnet)

Do NOT under any circumstances use a DIY can. It will either have no oil or be the wrong type.

[Antique]

Just about to search for a local service. They must be able to test if there is a leak before re gassing surely. Thanks

[johnatg]

Yes - during the service they extract any remaining gas, then refill with nitrogen (I think - anyway, something inert) and see if the system holds pressure. If it doesn't, they'll try to identify the leak/problem and advise what needs to be done.

If and when it holds pressure they'll extract the nitrogen and refill with the correct quantity of refrigerant gas - I'm pretty sure that will be R134a.

[Antique]

Went back to the body shop to see if they had looked at the condenser for damage. The accident was only superficial and no damage to the bumper frame. They were very good and offered to re gas. Did it this morning, they checked for leaks and the pressure, all was ok so re gassed and new oil as needed ( checked which oil from a tab under the bonnet). Took about 1 1/2 hours. Told me it would take a while for it to blow cold and to take it for a long drive. Did about 15 miles but still blowing warm, how long should it take?

[johnatg]

That's odd - it should blow cold very soon after a recharge. Is the compressor drive belt in place and running normally?

[Antique]

Because I know nothing of modern cars I leave it to my local Mechanic. I will go and see him tomorrow and ask him to have a look

[Herbie]

6 hours ago, Antique said:

Told me it would take a while for it to blow cold and to take it for a long drive. Did about 15 miles but still blowing warm, how long should it take?

That's just plain wrong. It should be almost immediate.

[b4u2]

@Antique

IT SHOULD BLOW COLD AIR IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linas.P]

On 7/28/2024 at 9:05 AM, Antique said:

First time this year went to use air con and it was blowing warm air. Recently had some body repairs done to the near side front wing, light and bumper so wondering if they might have shorted out something and blown a fuse. What I noticed usually was when I putt the air con on the engine will remain running when I stop instead of going into hybrid mode and stopping while stationary. So wondering if the generator is not kicking in. Any tips or advice welcome before I take it to a garage. 2013 450h 

Not sure on exact issue you getting, but the aircon must be run all time, summer or winter, day or night, only that ensures optimal system running, prevents seal drying out and loss of coolant. So that would be my tip and advice, keep it always on. It is normal for engine to remain running if A/C is running, not sure if there is "Eco A/C" on 2013 RX, but if there is then again I would advice to keep it off and keep the engine running, with A/C running. The only thing Eco A/C achieves is to make whole car damp and create excessive condensate, so when engine starts and A/C starts working again it has to work extra hard to dry the interior again.

As for refill 1.5h sounds about right, it probably takes 45 min, but I assume they are working on kore than one car. That said it should blow cold air right away, there is no reason why you would need to drive for some distance for it to work. I guess their idea is to let it circulate between high and low pressure side if it was completely empty, but that takes maybe 1 minute, not long drive. 

 

[Antique]

Thanks for that, I am going to se my local mechanic and ask him to check that the belt is running and go from there. Ran it this morning and only the same air temperature as outside not really cold as it has been. I last used it as my memory serves last summer for cold and winter for hot and it was working fine. I will update when I know more.

 

Regards all

[Antique]

Checked belt is in place. Mechanic will have a look at it 5th Aug. He is very busy because he is good and reasonable charges. Lets see if he is good enough or this puzzle.  

[Antique]

Searching for the price for a compressor just in case but keep finding used on eBay. Any ideas about price and if it would be wise to buy a used one if that is the problem. One question, if the air con is not blowing cold will it blow hot air for the winter setting???

[steve2006]

Yes, cold air is provided by the AC system and warm/hot air by the vehicle’s engine cooling system so even with no AC working you will still get warm air when selected.

You could also run a few DIY checks, see if the engine revs drop slightly when you switch on the AC and check if the fan(s) cut in and out with the AC switched on.

An auto AC specialist with the correct diagnostic equipment would be your best bet, someone like Diagnose Dan!

[Antique]

Update: had my mechanic, who I can trust to check out the air con. Good pressure no leaks, however he is not qualified to work on the electrical system of a hybrid. He suggested I go to a Lexus garage to get the compressor checked because it is on the electrical system. I don't have a Lexus garage near me but I contacted Lexus at Reading to find out the cost of the compressor, £3500!!!! plus fitting???. He did suggest I consider an after market compressor DENSO and he gave me the part number, which I thought was very kind of him. Next was to find an air con specialist who could carry out the replacement if it is the compressor, waiting for a reply to one who was recommended.

[RONNIE W HODGEKINSON]

20 minutes ago, Antique said:

Update: had my mechanic, who I can trust to check out the air con. Good pressure no leaks, however he is not qualified to work on the electrical system of a hybrid. He suggested I go to a Lexus garage to get the compressor checked because it is on the electrical system. I don't have a Lexus garage near me but I contacted Lexus at Reading to find out the cost of the compressor, £3500!!!! plus fitting???. He did suggest I consider an after market compressor DENSO and he gave me the part number, which I thought was very kind of him. Next was to find an air con specialist who could carry out the replacement if it is the compressor, waiting for a reply to one who was recommended.

Sounds very Like You Have a Faulty Compressor David..I Had One Replaced Years ago albeit not on a Lexus and i think It Cost £500 Including Fitting.. However i Would Have Though your Local Guy Would have picked up That your compressor was the problem These Specialist Aircon Guys are Really Quite Good But Talk to your Lexus Dealer Mechanic and tell him because of Price you are getting This Specialist to fix the problem AND is there Anything Else Regarding Replacement we should be Aware of..Lexus cars so Very Much like to be Repaired at Lexus Dealerships...!!!! Just a Thought..!!!!

[Antique]

Still no luck with a prognosis. Tried a local specialist online by email, no response. Checked with Lexus Reading about the cost of a compressor £3500, suggested I could go for a after market but admitted most specialist didn't like the job. I will have to save up, but in the mean time what about the heating side. One of the members said it would work because it is on a different system, but I have tried to set the temperature on hot and it doesn't get hot, that's using the A/C auto button  so how do I get hot air in to the car without using the A/C Auto setting. Pray for a mild winter.

 

Regards

[KayCee]

Hi david

As the Fitters Diagnosis confirmed that the AC Compressor as failed because you are not getting the temperature range.

 I think i would get someone to check the blend and temperature flap motors the may be out of sync. Lexus can use Techstream to reset the positions of the flap controls I am not saying it definatly that its that but you ought to rule out that first it would be not very good if you forked out for a compressor  and it was the blend valve.

Robert

[Antique]

Thanks for the advice, KayCee. You know I said I had a front end bump repaired back a few weeks, well when I got the car back all the electric settings had changed, I had to reset them. Do you think when they replaced the damaged panels, wing and bumper they unplugged the batteries and this caused a short circuit of some kind or the cable to the compressor was knocked loose. I think I will have to find a air con specialist  and just have the full check, like you say it could be  less expensive in the end. The nearest Lexus garage is 22 miles away, I will do a search.

Thanks again.

 

Regards

[Malc1]

The garage that repaired your knock …….. quiz them some more on their specific actions maybe …….. that might narrow the options 🤔

Just a thought !

Malc 

[RONNIE W HODGEKINSON]

On 8/3/2024 at 11:04 AM, steve2006 said:

Yes, cold air is provided by the AC system and warm/hot air by the vehicle’s engine cooling system so even with no AC working you will still get warm air when selected.

You could also run a few DIY checks, see if the engine revs drop slightly when you switch on the AC and check if the fan(s) cut in and out with the AC switched on.

An auto AC specialist with the correct diagnostic equipment would be your best bet, someone like Diagnose Dan!

Steve.. Do You Have To be Desperate To get Him..!!! lol